Holy Mary, Mother Sunshine — I can’t believe I’ve found yet another scenic route. This one, the Goethewanderweg, is in the Thuringian town of Blankenhain. It’s not very long — a mere 28 kilometers, following the words of Goethe.

Blankenhain doesn’t just fall on this one scenic route. Nope, it’s also located on both the Thüringer Porzellanstraße (Thuringian Porcelain Road) and the Bier- und Burgenstraße (Beer and Castles Route).

Aww, you know what that means: a castle.

Schloss Blankenhain started off as a 13th century fortress, turning into the late 17th century building you see today. It has both an inner and outer courtyard; and tours are available on weekends from Easter to October.

On the second Saturday in September the castle plays host to a huge festival. Come Christmas, when it’s the venue for the Christmas Market.

The other must-see building in Blankenhain is the 15th century St. Severi Church, with its 16th century wood carvings and stained glass. Oh yes, and a trip to the Apothekenmuseum (Pharmacy Museum) is a good idea too.

You’ll have time to fit seeing those buildings in between Blankenhain’s festivals. The Village Festival comes in July, with another Dorffest (there are 23 villages, after all) around the same time. And they’ve got a Tractor Race & Folk Festival, Advent Concerts, Easter Bonfires, and even Maypole festivities too.

Fun and history meet up at the St. Anne Chapel. Built in 1503, it now hosts the annual Kirmes (Church Festival).

With all this stuff going on, you’re gonna need a place to stay. Why not spend a night or two in a historic inn? The Gasthaus Zur Krone even received the King and Queen (Friedrich Wilhelm III and Louise) of Prussia. And the Zum Güldenen Zopf has been here since 1541.

I know I’m missing something. Yes, the outdoorsy side of Blankenhain. In addition to its solar heated outdoor swimming pool (that’s open May – September). This one’s great — it’s got air bubble “couches” and an underwater bench.

Blankenhain also has two 18-hole and one 3-hole golf courses ready for anyone willing to hit the links.

I’m gonna go hit up a beer garden — and see which other scenic routes I can find that’ll lead me to fun towns like this.

You know you’re special when a king has built his vacation “summer residence” in your town. Such was the case with Edenkoben in the Palatinate.

The king, by the way, was King Ludwig I of Bavaria. His summer home is the Schloss Ludwigshöhe, a small castle compared to some other German castles.

Edenkoben isn’t a one castle town. Now in ruins, the Rietburg was built around the year 1200; and it seems like you can see forever from its high vantage point.

I’m not sure if the medieval lord of manor would like the annual Rietburg Mountain Run coming right by his place. He’d probably have thrown everyone in the dungeon. ;-)

I say, forget that — let’s get to Edenkoben’s wine. It’s all over the place since the town lies along the posh German Wine Route; and it’s home to the Museum of Viticulture and Urban History. Wine’s even a focus over at the Weingut Kloster Heilsbruck — a monastery that’s been around for just about 750 years.

Just as it isn’t a one castle town, Edenkoben isn’t a one crop town, either. Besides grapes, there are almonds and chestnuts and figs growing all over. Ahh, the wonders of the Palatinate Forest.

But, Edenkoben doesn’t hold a fig festival — it holds wine festivals. The Wine Festival in September is a biggie, as is the Wein- und Kastanienmarkt (Wine and Chestnut Market), and then there’s the Weinfete (and Medieval Market) in early June.

What’s even better about Edenkoben is that it doesn’t end with the wine. They’re a cultural bunch. Every year awards and scholarships are awarded at the Künstlerhaus Edenkoben to promote art and culture.

MyGermanCity promotes Germany and German culture — do you think I’ve got a chance to win? :-)

Ahh, too busy wandering around the rest of town (and country!) to notice that I didn’t win — so I’m heading off to see the Sieges- und Friedensdenkmal (Victory & Peace Monument). Every August there’s a Rock concert happening — a far cry from peace with all that noise. Go when it’s quiet to see the monuments frescoes.

While Edenkoben is a fit for a king, it’s loved by The Rest Of Us. Now pass the wine!

There is small. And then there’s tiny. I think the town of Ensdorf (Saar) falls under the tiny category; measuring a mere 8.3 square kilometers. Which is like seven times smaller than its “sister” — Ensdorf in the Upper Palatinate.

Wait a minute… Saarland’s Ensdorf has three times the number of people living there as the other Ensdorf. How come?

I don’t know what’s worse. The fact that I figured that out, or that I’m sitting here figuring that out instead of seeing Ensdorf. ;-)

Before we go any further, let’s be honest here for a minute. Like I said, Ensdorf is small tiny, and there’s not a whole lot of sightseeing to do. A lot of what there is require trekking off into the countryside, and even into nearby France.

The town makes a good base to do that. It has everything a traveler could need to spend a few days: hotels, apartments, private rooms. Heck, it even has camping facilities.

Winter doesn’t stop anyone from camping out. You just better call ahead to let them know you’re coming. Ensdorf’s campground has direct access to a restaurant and the local swimming pool. Great fun for the whole family with its diving boards and playground for the kids.

Nearby is a “log cabin,” a BBQ area that can accommodate you and 39 of your closest friends. Make sure someone remembers to bring wurst.

Don’t grill if it’s one of Ensdorf’s festivals — you won’t want to miss these. The Parkfest is in July, a two-day affair no less. Still not as long as the Ensdorfer Kirmes — that’s 4-days of church festivities at the end of June. And the Summer Festival is a 3-day event.

After all that merriment (which includes the Weihnachtsmarkt — a Christmas Market), go to Ensdorf’s Kneipp area to relax. Or, just sit quietly at the park right behind the Rathaus (Town Hall).

You know what? Do that after you’ve exhausted yourself paragliding, alpine climbing (speaking of “Calmont”), and hiking through vineyards. Tired yet? Stop at the Berghalde, this lookout point is just what you need.

What I need now is, to head to the other Ensdorf to see if I love that one as much as I do here. ;-)

In the little area in and around Türkheim people have come and gone through the centuries. Bronze Age Man is gone, so are the Celts and the Romans. And while these men and women might be famous as a whole — it is a lone guy who was the town’s most famous resident.

His name was Ludwig Aurbacher. He was born in a small house in 1784 (some 82 years after the town’s Old Town Hall was built) that’s famously known around these parts as the Aurbacherhaus. Herr Aurbacher wrote The Seven Swabians (whose German title is Die Abenteuer der Sieben Schwaben), a fanciful and colorful tale — curious for such a severe looking man.

Anyway, you can learn more about Türkheim’s most famous son at the Sieben-Schwaben-Museum (which is also a Local History Museum too) at the Großes Schloss, or Big Castle. You can’t tell from its exterior that this once was a medieval edifice since it got a facelift in 1682, and again in the 1750 when the Baroque Gardens were put in.

FYI, the Castle Garden is the venue for Türkheim’s annual Wine Festival (July) and the Töpfermarkt (Pottery Market).

There’s the Kleines Schloss (Little Castle) too, that’s now a cafe instead of the home of a German aristocrat.

Türkheim is also famous for its location on the Way of St. James, a pilgrimage route for the devout who are on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Makes sense since the town has no less than eight churches — for which the Loreto Chapel is the most famous. You’ll find it right near the Ludwigstor.

Enough of the places for a minute… this is Bavarian Swabia for Heaven’s sake, which means all sorts of other things to do. There’s shopping at the Organic Market (which takes place every few weeks) or the Spring and Autumn Markets, celebrating at he Bockbierfest in March, the Pfarrfest (Parish Festival) in June, the Community Festival in July, or playing a round of golf at the 27-hole course.

Cross-country skiing can be done in the winter in the Augsburg-Westliche Wälder nature park (there’s a ski lift here too) — and OK, you can hike or bike it in the summer if you want. Along the Hauptstraße there are lots of restaurants and cafes to sit for a spell, or grab some good Swabian cuisine.

Ohh, maybe this is why Mr. Aurbacher looked so stern — he was so busy writing that he didn’t get a chance to experience his hometown like you can. ;-)

It’s here in Holdorf that I’ve decided to rest — and rest I will. Why Holdorf? It’s a simple answer, really. They don’t have too much sightseeing in regard to churches or castles.

What they do have are two lakes. The Heidesee is smaller in terms of area, being only around 10 acres. But it’s got all sorts of things to do — and it’s your choice if you wanna just relax on its sandy beach, try diving in its water, go fishing, or play like the kids on the playground. They’ve got a kiosk that sells food if you’re hungry, or simply bring your own picnic basket.

The other lake is the Dümmer See. It’s much larger than the Heidesee, but very shallow so diving’s not really an option. What you do have an option to do is to hike along the Dümmer See’s marshes.

FYI, the lake is some 13.5 square kilometers, so wear comfy shoes if you’re gonna hike around it.

After some much needed rest along Holdorf’s lakes, it’s time to tackle the town. A visit to the Church of Sts. Peter & Paul is a must. The building itself might not have been built until 1858, but the inside has a 16th century cross.

You’ll also find some half-timbered buildings, and I wouldn’t dream of not telling you about the Gut Ihorst, a Baroque chapel. What else? Oh yes, the Church of St. Barbara and the Christ Church.

Again for something fun, head out to the Kart racing track Hansaring; and to the Dersaburg. There’s a legend that tells of the White Lady — so maybe you’ll get lucky and see her.

I didn’t — but then again, I wasn’t here long enough. There was one last thing I needed to do in Holdorf, and that was to play a game of tennis. Hmm, no wonder I’m tired… ;-)

The first thing that crossed my mind about the Bavarian Swabian town of Höchstädt an der Donau, was what’s with all the umlauts? They’re those little dots over the vowels, in case you didn’t know. Then I thought, without them — the town’s name looked funny too.

You tell me: Hoechstaedt an der Donau. ;-)

What’s not funny is the town itself. Not that it takes itself too seriously, mind you. It’s a fun-loving town — being only 15km to Legoland, how could it not?

There’s a lot of history packed into one place here. Although none as much as what’s called the Battle of Blenheim (some have called it the Second Battle of Höchstädt, but I don’t know about all that) that took place here on August 13, 1704, during the War of Spanish Succession — fought by France and Bavaria against the Holy Roman Empire.

The Denkmalweg, a 23km cycle route, details much of the battle that took place here in the Swabian-Danube Valley.

Forget the war, it’s about the castles. Well, castle. The Schloss Höchstädt is a beautiful Renaissance castle, built in 1589.

But, you couldn’t have had the Renaissance without the Middle Ages. So, in honor of the medieval — here’s what Höchstädt’s got to see from this epic time period. No, the Geigerturm (the last remaining tower of the original Stadtmauer) didn’t come along until 1529, so that doesn’t count.

Oh yes, the Stadt Pfarrkirche Maria Himmelfahrt would, which was built in the 15th century, despite having a Baroque interior. This was around the same time the tower of the St. Andreas Church was being built — the rest of the church was rebuilt in 1783.

The 19th century was busy, huh? That’s also when the town’s Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) was built (1853), which is now a Local History Museum. Which is not, BTW, the same as the Heritage Museum.

Where else shall we go? The Auwaldweg is a good idea — well, that is if you like to walk 12.5km. But the grasslands and bird watching areas make it all worth while. ;-)

Rather stick a little closer to town? Come to the Marktplatz that’s framed by 17th century mansions and the current Town Hall.

It doesn’t matter that Höchstädt an der Donau’s name looks funny without the umlauts — but the town itself sure looks great with or with ’em.

It never fails, leave it to me to bumble around a town that’s all about food when I’m starving. Yes, it’s the “I’m so busy writing that I forgot to eat” diet. Well, whatever weight has come off from that will be put right back on in Nieheim.

Usually I’m torn between all the historical parts of a town and its natural landscape. This time it’s between the history and the food. Sorry, I’m hungry — food wins.

Nieheim lies along a “scenic route” of sorts, the KäseRoute NRW, which in English means the Cheese Route NRW. Seems kinda funny that Nieheim’s landmark is a tower (the Holsterturm) instead of a block of cheese.

It’s a special cheese made here in Nieheim, and the only place to get it is Menne’s Cheese Factory. Not some cold, industrial kinda place — it’s a working dairy farm where they get the milk for the cheese. Talk about fresh ingredients, which you can buy at the farm’s store.

Cheese is such a big commodity here that there’s even a special Deutscher Käsemarkt (German Cheese Market) held in the early days of September on even-numbered years. Yeah, that means you gotta wait for every other year.

Don’t freak out, on the odd-numbered years you’ve got the Nieheimer Holztage, or Wood Days. You’ll still eat good, even if the event isn’t cheese related.

Ain’t a one festival town, in case you’re wonderin’. Get this… Nieheim’s got a couple of Schützenfest throughout its 10 villages — one lasting 2-days, one lasting 3-days, and another lasting 5-days.

Amazing how you’ll find any time to see Nieheim’s 13th century St. Nicholas Church, its Weser-Renaissance style Town Hall that was built in 1610, or its Heimat- und Sackmuseum.

What’s a Sackmuseum? Simple, a museum all about bags. Yes, bags. How else can you carry around all that cheese? ;-)

Of course, now that everyone’s all well-fed, you got the energy to do some hiking around Nieheim. The Flechthecke is a natural area of roses, hawthorne, and hazelnuts — a most lovely place to do it. So is the Teutoburg Forest, for that matter. Or, go see the old Telegraph Station; created long before the days of mobile and smart phones.

Would you look at that, hungry again already. Good thing I’m in Nieheim.

You’ll find the town of Neulingen on the Baden/Swabian border. Confusing yes, but then again, there’s Swabia and then there’s Baden. Two different places in the same place.

Sounds cryptic, but rest assured there aren’t too many more beautiful places in the world. I’m biased — what can I say? ;-)

And Neulingen is famous in a way. It lies along the Bertha Benz Memorial Route, so if you’re following in the footsteps (I think that would be tire tracks) of Bertha — then you’ll find yourself here.

Before driving off, I would make sure you’ve seen the Weinbrenner style Church of St. Ulrich from 1805, built over the 1507 original in the village of Göbrichen.

Another village of Neulingen is Bauschlott, which has its very own castle. Too bad the 4-tower, moated castle is privately owned — it sure would be nice to get an insider look at Schloss Bauschlott.

Oh well, I guess I’ll have to head to Bauschlott’s Village Green with all its half-timbered houses, and its mid-16th century Rectory.

Nußbaum, the smallest and least populated of Neulingen’s villages, also has its own Village Center; and its own lovely church — the previous fortified Church of St. Stephen.

You don’t wanna just hear about all of Neulingen’s buildings, do you? No, I didn’t think so. So, I’ll mention the Böllstrichsee and the Fricksee; two cute lakes that are great for fishing or just to sit by at a beer garden.

One of the more unique attractions in Neulingen is its model-airplane airport. Tell me what boy (no matter what his age) can resist that? Let everyone else run off to play tennis or golf — you can stay here with me. ;-)

Stick around for Neulingen’s festivals. There are two Summer Festivals in July, a Straßenfest every two years, and May Day (May 1st) is ushered in with lots of music, dancing, and good cheer.

Still not enough to make you forget that you’re in the Baden region with one leg and the Swabian region with the other leg? Don’t worry about getting lost — you can always join in on one of Neulingen’s guided cycling programs.

I say in honor of Miss Benz — forget the bike and bring the car around. ;-)

Neustadt-Glewe is dominated by its Alte Burg, or Old Castle — which is its landmark, BTW.

This is one formidable building, and it’s easy to feel really short standing next to its 28-meter high tower. It’s been said that the Alte Burg is the oldest of its kind in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania — built in the 13th century. Today it acts as Neustadt-Glewe’s Local History Museum, whereas during the Soviet occupied days it was a hostel.

And there’s no way you can confuse this medieval castle with the Baroque one (built 1720), called the Neue Schloss that’s got 32 fireplaces in it. You can stay here if you like, since it’s now a hotel. Even if you don’t spend the night — you’re still more than welcome to see its stucco ceilings.

Eighty-five years after the New Castle was built, the town built its current Rathaus (Town Hall). I think you’ll like its half-timbered construction and clock tower.

Yes, I almost left out another castle. Sorry, it’s a half-timbered “hunting lodge.” I mean, was a hunting lodge ’cause the Jagdschloss Friedrichsmoor is now a restaurant.

One more building (I swear) and then it’s gonna be all about the nature side of town. Better yet, back up into the surrounding countryside to appreciate the full frontal view of the Church Blievenstorf. If you’re standing right in front of it, there’s no way to appreciate the symmetrical lines of its front tower and entryway.

OK, time to head off to the Lewitz Nature Area, or ride a bike along the Mecklenburg Lakes Bike Path. Speaking of lakes, swimming’s a good idea at the Neustädter See that’s got camping facilities too.

Before leaving Neustadt-Glewe, I gotta tell you about its awesome Airbeat One. No, it’s not a place — it’s one of the biggest dancing festivals in North Germany. And I know there are a lot of you (us) out there that love the medieval — so you’ll wanna be here in June for the Medieval Festival (called Burgfest). Come December, the castle turns into a “real” fairytale one.

Ahh, would make the Brothers Grimm mighty proud. Actually, everyone from Neustadt-Glewe should be proud — they’ve got a wonderful place to see.! :-)

Shhh, listen to that. Do you hear it? No, I am not hearing voices in my head. What I hear is the sound of almost 400 years of music tradition in the town of Markneukirchen.

I’ll be honest with you though (again, not admitting to voices in my head), not much goes on around these parts that doesn’t have to do with music. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll find things like cross-country skiing in the winter (speaking of the Ore Mountains). And you’ll find a nice outdoor pool — the Waldbad Adorf.

Not to mention, there are some 70km of bike trails through the Vogtland region. The Tourist Office can help you with maps, and help you figure out which ones you might like best.

They’ll also help you with Markneukirchen’s festivals. Like the Christmas Market in December, the Stadtfest (City Festival), the Bergfest (Mountain Festival), and the Dorffest (Village Festival).

But, don’t forget it was me who told you about the Straßenfest (Street Festival) in July first. ;-)

In addition to all the festivals and biking trails, you’ll want to see the Bismarck Tower (dedicated to none other than grand German statesman, Otto von Bismarck); and Markneukirchen’s two outstanding villas — the Villa Merz (built 1900) and Villa Stark (built 1896). The latter being a Children’s Home in this century.

The voices in my head are telling me we need to move on — preferably to the Lutheran Church of St. Nicolai, and the Old Court Building.

I did say Markneukirchen was all about the music though, didn’t I? Founded in 1883, the Music Instrument Museum has thousands of items from all over the world. Ain’t my words — that’s what the museum said. But, it’s true, just so you know. ;-)

And every year Markneukirchen hosts an annual International Instrument Competition in May, where orchestras and Classical musicians come to compete.

The town even boasts its own Symphony Orchestra and Brass Orchestra. Ahh, the wonderful sound of music. Drowns out the voices in my head. ;-)